Subject: [KFFDisc] Untitled Fic Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 08:39:46 -0800 (PST) From: "P. Rico" Reply-To: kenshinfanfics@egroups.com To: Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fic ML Hi. This is just a little something I thought up in the middle of the night when I couldn't sleep. I don't have a title for it so I'd be very grateful if anyone could suggest one. P.S. Thanks to everyone who helped me with the Japanese names^-^ Standard disclaimers: RK isn't mine. I wish it were but it's not. If it were I would be able to quit both of my crummy jobs. Anyways, on with the fic. ***************** An untitled RK fic: by P.Rico The 10th year: Okina looked as the young boy kneeling infront of his parents' graves and sighed. It had been a brutal battle. The Oniwabanshuu had come out on top, but had lost two of their best ninjas. He sighed again. Poor kid. So young. Although, if you didn't already know, you wouldn't be able to tell he was only ten. He was tall for his age, and very mature. Not to mention talented. At this tender age, he had already surpassed many of the Oniwabanshuu in fighting skill. He walked over to Aoshi and place his hand on his shoulder. "They lived, fought, and died bravely," said the boy. "I will honor their memory by doing the same." "Come, Aoshi. Let's go home." When the two enterd the Oniwabanshuu Headquaters, they were greeted by one of the female ninjas. "Welcome home. Okina-sama." she said. Her gaze drifted to Aoshi. "I heard what happened. How are you doing, Aoshi?" The boy mearly nodded. "Where is the Okashira?" asked Okina. "He's at his daughters house. She had her baby." "Really?" "Yes, a girl. I think she named her Misao." "Makimachi Misao," said Okina thoughtfully. "I bet she's a beauty." "Okina." Okina was a little surprized to hear Aoshi speak. He had almost forgoten the boy was there. "What is it, Aoshi?" "Can we go see the baby?" Okina shrugged. "I don't see why not. It's still early." The two traveled the short distance to the Makimachi house and found Makimachi Jun with her father, the Okashira, and her child, Misao. "Okina," said the Okashira when they entered. "I didn't expect you back this early. I see you brought Aoshi with you." Aoshi bowed respectfully. "Is that Misao?" Okina asked looking over at the infant lying on a blanket. "Yes", said Jun "Isn't she beautiful? I just wish her father could have seen her." Aoshi had since made his way over to the child and kneeled down beside her. "I'm sure, Jun-san would have been very proud," said Okina. "When was she born?" "Three days ago." "Three days?" said Aoshi. "The same day my parents..." He put his hand on Misao's forehead. She smiled up at him. "She seems to like you, Aoshi," said Jun-san with a smile. The Okashira took Okina aside. "I heard what happened. How is the boy?" Okina shrugged. "He's Aoshi." The Okashira nodded, and turned back to where the boy was kneeling by Misao. Aoshi looked down at the child. She had big blue eyes and black hair. She smiled and squirmed and grabbed Aoshi's finger with her small hand. //Makimachi Misao// he though //I swear I will protect you forever.// ***************** The 12th year: "Why don't we just give him money like we always do?" Okon looked as Omasu and shook her head. "Because if we do, he'll just turn around and give it to somebody else like he always does." "Yeah like last year when he bought Misao here a new blanket." She looked down at the toddler she was carring. "And the year before that when he bought Okina a new robe." Okon added. "I wan't to get him something he'll keep." "You realize this happens every year. You want to get Aoshi a present, we look and look and can never figure out what to get him, and end up giving him money anyways." "But this time it's differnt. Misao's here to help us." Okon looked at Misao. Misao's mother had died, not even a year ago. All of the Oniwabanshuu, both the men and the women, had taken it upon themselves to raise her. "You'll help us find a birthday present for your Aoshi-sama? Right?" Misao smiled widely and nodded. ------ "It's getting late, we'd better go," said Okon later. "Looks like were giving him money again this year," said Omasu. "Hey, I thought you said you were going to help us?" She looked down at Misao but found no Misao. "Misao?" "You lost her?" "She was just here." "You lost the Okashira's only grandchild?!" "I wasn't the only one who was supposed to be watching." Omasu felt a tug at her kimono and looked down. "Misao!" "You scared us," said Okon. "Don't ever run off like that again." "Gomen," said Misao, then smiled and held up a scarf. "For Aoshi-sama." The two young women looked at each other. "I guess we're not giving him money after all." ***************** The 13th year. He was perched in a tree over looking Edo castle. He smiled. This would be a piece of cake. He would slip in, assasinate the target, and slip out. Any Oniwabanshuu got is his way...well, that would be their misfortune. He dropped down and under the cover of the moonless night, made his way to the castle. He smiled again. The Oniwabanshuu were obviously incompetent to have let him get this far. They would be no problem at all. He found a way inside and began his search for the official he had been hired to kill. Suddenly he heard a voice from behind say, "I don't think you should be in here." He turned and found himself confronting a tall, slender boy, who looked to be about 16 years of age. He smiled. "Go away and forget you ever saw me, kid, and I might let you live." The boy began to move forward. "As as Oniwabanshuu it is my responsibility to stop intruders," he pulled his kodachi out of the seath at his waist. Therefore I cannot allow you to continue unchallenged." "It's you're funeral, kid," came the reply with a smirk. He charged. ------ He was in shock. He was in pain. How could this happen to him? This child had effortlessly defeated him. This had to be a bad dream. But it wasn't. He open his one good eye and saw the boy standing over him. "What is your name?" he asked. "Shi--Shikijou," he stammerd. "Why did you come here?" "I was hired to take out some hot shot political guy." "This is what you did for? For money, nothing else?" Shikijou let out a small laugh. "Yeah, I guess." There was a pause. "You are very powerful, Shikijou." "Evidently not powerful enouge," he muttered. "I would be a shame to let such power go to waste." Another pause. //What is this kid aiming at?// "Join the Oniwabanshuu." Shikijou didn't know how to respond. "We don't care about you past," the boy continued. "All we ask is that you follow the Okashira loyally. We can help you become more powerful that you are. If you take our special medicine, you would be almost unstoppable." Yet another pause. "Just one thing kid, what's your name? And how old are you?" "Shinomori Aoshi, age 13" Shikijou's eye widened. Thirteen? He's just a child. And yet he had crushed him. Was the the Oniwabanshuu's true power? "Aoshi-sama," he said "I would be honored to join the Oniwabanshuu." ***************** The 15th year: Aoshi was sitting on the floor of his room surrounded by the Oniwabanshuu's records he was studying. He knew Misao was there before she even knocked on the door. "Come in," he said. The five year old entered with the everpresent smile on her face. "Aoshi-sama, good morning." "Good morning, Misao." "What are you doing?" "Reading." "Okay, I won't bother you." Aoshi nodded, positve that it wouldn't last long. He felt Misao moving around the room stopping every so often. Finally he felt her approaching him from behind and was suprized to feel a brush running throught his long hair. He looked back at Misao over his shoulder. "I'll brush you're hair so you'll look nice. Today, is im-important, ne?" Aoshi nodded. Today was important. Today he would officially become the Oniwabanshuu's new Okashira. The death of Misao's grandfather came a shock to everyone. The Oniwabanshuu would morn but they knew that their top priority was replacing him. Naturally everyone chose Okina. The only person who's fighting skills came close to matching the Okashira's. But Okina declined and recommended Aoshi instead. Everybody, including Aoshi was surprized. Okina explained that there needed to be a younger leader with a fresh view to lead the Oniwabanshuu into the new era. He felt Aoshi was best suited for the job. Aoshi at first, protested, but then agreed granted that Okina would be his advisor. "There all done." he heard Misao say. He looked at himself in the mirror and saw his hair up in a perfect top knot. "You like?" "You did very good, Misao." "Aoshi-sama." Both of them turned to the door. "Hanya!" exclaimed Misao, running to give him a hug. "Aoshi-sama. It's time. Are you ready." Aoshi rose to his feet and nodded. When he reached the door, he felt Misao tug at his sleeve. He looked down and saw here handing him the scarf she had given him three years ago. The scarf he was almost never seen without. He had forgoten about it, with everything going on. "Thank you, Misao," he said accepting it. Then followed Hanya to the main hall. ***************** The 21st year: "I could really use a man of your talents, Mr. Shinomori." said the politician. "Okashira of the famous Onmitsu-Oniwabanshuu, would be ideal for our secreat operations." "I will accept," said Aoshi, "Under one condition." The politician sighed. When he told his comrades he was trying to aquire the services of the Okashira, he was met with the same story. Shinomori had refused bacause they would not accept four other Oniwabanshuu as well. He thought perhaps he could persuade Shinomori, but from the looks of it, no. "Mr. Shinomori," he said. "I know what you are going to ask. But I really have no need for your friends, but if it's their well being your concernd about, I assure you'll I'll pay you enough to support all of them." "You do not understand." "Mr. Shinomori, look..." "I'm afraid I must decline you offer." With that he left. ------ It was late when he returned to the Aoiya. But Okina was still up. "You declined, didn't you?" Aoshi silently nodded. "That's five in as many weeks." "You know my reasons." "Yes, and I understand as well. But what are you going to do?" Aoshi didn't answer. ***************** The 23rd year: "They're gone? All of them!? Beshimi, Hyottoko, Shikijou, Hanya, Aoshi-sama?" Okina nodded. "They late last night, Misao." "Without saying goodbye?" "They thought it would be best that way." "And you just let them go?" "Misao, they are all grown men. It was there choice. I couldn't do anything." "But...but, Aoshi-sama," she said, tears beining to form in her eyes. "He's the Okashira. He shouldn't leave the Oniwabanshuu." "Misao, in this new era, the Oniwabanshuu is unecessary." "But...but..." She fell to her knees and silently began to cry. "Aoshi-sama...Hanya..." Okina rose and began to walk over to her. But before he reached her, she shot to her feet. "I'm going after them." she declared. "You are doing no such thing." said Okina sternly. "But, Jiya..." "You are to young to be running around Japan looking for them. I don't even know what direction the went." Misao fell to her knees again. "Misao, I know your sad and angry, but Aoshi thought this would be the best for you. Do you understand?" Misao sniffed and nodded. "I suppose." "That's a good girl." "Okina!" came a voice from outside. "I'll be right there." he yelled back. He looked down at Misao, who was still crying, gave her a quick hug and left. //No, I don't understand. How could they...how could he do this to me? But one day, when I'm old enough, I'll go looking for them, I'll bring them back and make them give me some answers. One day.// ------ "Okashira, It's getting dark. Do you think we should make camp?" Aoshi nodded at Beshimi. "The next village is still a ways off. It would be best if we rested and got a fresh start in the morning." The other's nodded. The found a clearing, started a fire, and began to cook some rabbits they had caught earlier. Aoshi seperated himself from the other's and found a tree to lean againt. His toughts soon drifted to the other Oniwabanshuu, particularly Misao. He could imagin her storming up and down, yelling at Okina for letting them go. She probably announced she would be coming after them and of course Okina would put his foot down. But knowing Misao, he would be surprized at all if one day he looked over his shoulder and saw her running toward him. He sighed. //Misao, I'm sorry for leaving you so abruptly, but long ago I promised to protect you. This is the best way I know how. I hope one they you'll understand and forgive me.// Only the beginning. ****************************** Okay, what do you think? Go ahead, be harsh. This is my first serious RK fic and I need to know if I should continue writing them or stick to comedy^-^. Anyways, one thing good about writing a fic like this is since there's almost nothing given about Aoshi's past I can't really be contradicted:P. Well, thank's for reading and thank's again for the help with the names. BTW, 'Jun' means pure. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Internet FileZone: Always FREE! Instantly store & access your valuable PC files on the net, from any Web browser. http://offers.egroups.com/click/235/0 eGroup home: http://www.eGroups.com/list/kenshinfanfics Free Web-based e-mail groups by eGroups.com